Iraqi lawmakers have voted to limit the powers of Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi in enacting reforms, forcing him to seek parliament's approval before passing important reforms.

Legislator Muhsin al-Saadoun said the November 2 vote was not a "negative stand" against Abadi's reform plan, but that parliament wanted to maintain the separation of powers between the government and legislature.

Abadi's dismissal of the vice presidents and deputy prime ministers and cuts to salaries of government employees has sparked widespread condemnation from political parties.

The prime minister announced his reform campaign in August following mass protests against corruption, poor services, and reckless government spending.